One thing I find interesting (in a very discouraging way) in Mr. Brownback's
remarks is his presumption that there are only two categories in which to
place scientific concepts: (1) "scientific fact" (as in a demonstrable
instance of micro-evolution), and (2) "scientific assumption" (as in a
concept of macro-evolution).
Somehow Mr. Brownback seems to have overlooked other categories such as "a
theory or model that is (so far) affirmed by the preponderance of empirical
investigation," which is the category in which most of the successful
concepts in the sciences are placed.
The Senate seems to be unaware of such subtleties of the philosophy and
practice of science.
Howard Van Till
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